News Archive

First meeting of defence industry body to forge new partnership and industry mobilisation

Defence Secretary John Healey co-chairs the first Defence Industrial Joint Council meeting today, bringing together defence firms, trade unions and investors to forge a new partnership aimed at improving warfighting readiness, driving innovation and boosting British jobs.   Defence Secretary to co-chair inaugural Defence Industrial Joint Council meeting at Hadean's London headquarters.  

Canada Steals US Biggest Trade Allies With $214 Billion Deals

Canada just shocked the world with a $214 billion trade agreement that signals a major shift in North American economics.   As the US doubles down on tariffs and isolation, Canada is building bridges with Asia, Latin America, and Europe, reshaping its economy and gaining global partners..  

Transformative £86 billion boost to science and tech to turbocharge economy, with regions backed to take cutting-edge research into own hands

Funding package worth more than £22.5 billion a year in 2029 will boost Britain's world-leading status in research and innovation.   £86 billion to fund everything from new drug treatments and longer lasting batteries to new AI breakthroughs to generate billions for the UK economy and drive our Plan for Change.  

Chancellor urged to prioritise growth - Call for UK Spending Review to abandon welfare cuts

The UK and Scottish Governments must work together to support shared economic growth, with more flexibility to encourage investment and an end to spending that bypasses devolution, Finance Secretary Shona Robison has said.   Ahead of the UK Spending Review on 11 June, the Finance Secretary is calling on the Chancellor to: relax fiscal rules to enable investment in public services and stimulate economic growth.  

One stop shop for tech could save taxpayers £1.2 billion and overhaul how government buys digital tools

A first-of-its-kind digital marketplace is being built to help shake up how the UK public sector buys technology - hoping to unlock £1.2 billion in annual savings, save time and give public servants the power to rate suppliers.   New platform to allow public sector to rate and review tech products, helping hospitals, schools and government departments avoid costly mistakes and make smarter, faster decisions on which tech to buy currently in early development.  

Support secured for LGBT Veterans

Legislation has been amended to ensure veterans who receive a payment from the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme do not lose out on council tax support.   More than 1,200 people in Scotland who served under and suffered from the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) personnel serving in HM Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 have applied to the UK Government for compensation so far.  

Hotel Bills For Asylum Seekers Still Very High

The UK government is currently spending around £2.2 billion per year on housing asylum seekers in hotels.  This cost is part of the foreign aid budget, which is meant to support refugees and asylum seekers upon arrival in Britain.  

The Ferry Questions That Keep Damaging The SNP

The two ferries built by Ferguson Marine—MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa—have faced significant delays and cost overruns.   MV Glen Sannox finally entered service in January 2025 after years of setbacks.  

Illegal working enforcement soars in drive to strengthen border security

Over 6,000 arrests and 9,000 visits carried out across the UK since the election in crackdown on illegal working.   A major surge in immigration enforcement activity across the UK has led to a 51% rise in the number of arrests since the election, as part of a Home Office drive to disable the illegal working trade in the UK.  

The Truth About U.S. Taxes

Heather Richardson sets out the tax position in the US compared to other ECD countries..